Page 73 of A Gentleman's Wager
Of course, with Frederick. He seemed jolly enough, but Bella did sometimes wonder what he’d done to so inspire Louisa’s devotion.
“And you snigger at my embroidery.”
Bella wriggled into a half-seated position with her weight on one elbow. She’d never known Louisa to be so defensive without obvious cause. It seemed sleep would have to wait awhile longer until she got to the bottom of this. Her friend had her teeth dug into her lower lip. Her arms were aggressively folded.
“Louisa, I’ve never laughed at your accomplishments, they’re just not for me. Whatever is this about?”
The only response she got was a sullen shrug.
“Is this because you think I oughtn’t to behave so scandalously with Lord Marlinscar?” Surely not. “I know we young ladies are supposed to remain all chaste and pure until we enter our marriage beds, but I don’t see why that should be. Gentlemen aren’t expected to behave in such a manner. In any case, I was neither of those things before I met Lucerne, and I’ll be damned if I pretend to be when the most interesting man to grace the county in forever wants to play at basketmaking with me.”
She received a sullen headshake in response. Louisa sat with her back to Bella, her gaze planted firmly on her knees. “It’s nothing to do with you.”
“Then what?” Bella asked, rising onto her knees so that she could wrap her arms around Louisa. She rested her chin on Louisa’s shoulder. “What is it? Tell me.”
“I went to his room,” Louisa said, so softly it was a strain to hear her. “That’s why he left. He’s appalled by me, and now he’ll never come back.”
“What? You went to Lucerne’s… No, wait… You went to Wakefield’s room?” Could that be true? “Louisa! When? Why?”
“Oh, don’t be a dolt, Bella. For the obvious reason. I thought that if I was… If I gave him what he seemed to want, then he would love me more, but that’s not what happened.”
Bella stared at her aghast. “You cannot mean to say that he turned you away. I don’t believe it.” She thumped the eiderdown. “What sort of shoddy fellow is—”
“I never even spoke to him. I got to his door, but I lost my nerve and couldn’t bring myself to knock. Then Pennerley came along so I fled, and I bumped into Lucerne, and he put me to bed. He was awfully drunk, Bella. I’m sorry to tell you that he kissed me, and rather passionately. I think Pennerley must have seen it and told Frederick, because shortly afterwards they had that awful fight.” She sighed, shoulders slumping further, and chin drooping closer to her chest. “It’s all my fault, Bella. I’ve wrecked a friendship, and Frederick has left, and probably thinks I’m a terrible harlot.” A fat tear rolled down her cheek.
“Don’t be silly.” Bella brushed the tear away. “Wakefield and Lucerne have been friends for years. I’m sure he’ll be back before long. He probably just needed a chance to calm down.”
“No, he won’t.”
Bella forgave the obvious plea for sympathy. “Of course, he will. And I’m positive he doesn’t think you’re a harlot.”
“But he’s seen me kissing both Lord Marlinscar and the marquis now, and I’ve kissed him. What else does that make me?”
“Lucky,” Bella quipped. “Oh, but, seriously, Lou. You can’t really imagine that any of this is your fault. There’s clearly some animosity between Wakefield and Pennerley that predates your involvement. If you’re determined to blame someone, then blame Pennerley, I’m sure his manipulations are the root cause. Meanwhile, if you’re so desperately concerned, then why don’t we go to Richmond? I’m sure Lucerne will allow us the use of his carriage. We can pay my brother and Wakefield a visit.”
“Could we really?” she gasped. “That is, I would like that very much.”
Bella squeezed her tight. “It’s a little late to ask Lucerne now, but go and get some rest, and we can seek his permission first thing. We can take a peep at the shops, and then have a spot of nuncheon with the gentlemen.”
Louisa heartily agreed. “Thank you, Bella. Thank you, and goodnight.”
-42-
Bella
The White Boar Inn was a white faced, low-fronted building, with a bowed roof and dusty lattice window situated five doors down from the milliners, where Bella bought a cream satin sash and five yards of sarcenet, and three from the drab little hat shop. Bella bullied the location of her brother and Wakefield’s rooms from the landlady over a bottle of heavy claret. She and Louisa thence parted company on the stairs.
“Bella!” Joshua stepped back in astonishment when he opened the door and found her on the other side. “I thought you were safely tucked away at Lauwine trying to steal Lord Marlinscar’s heart or some such. What are you doing here?”
“Visiting. Shopping.” She thrust her purchases at him causing him to groan. Good old Joshua, only ever concerned about how she stretched his finances. Not that he was ungenerous. She loosened the ribbons of her bonnet and cast it upon the vacant armchair. The room was squat, but tidy with lime washed walls that were yellowing near the ceiling and around the low set window. There was little in the way of home comforts; two armchairs, an uncomfortable looking bed with a patchwork coverlet, and a dresser with a cracked jug and bowl set on top. Her brother’s greatcoat hung from a hook on the back of the door.
“Surely, you’re not here alone. Isn’t Marlinscar with you?”
“No. Louisa.”
“Then where is she?”
A spider’s web stretched across one of the windowpanes, she noted with some amusement. Joshua disliked spiders, though he claimed they didn’t trouble him. “She went to knock on Captain Wakefield’s door.”
